Mono valve float thermostatic steam trap



March 4, 1958 A. K. VELAN ET AL 2,825,508

MONO VALVE FLOAT THERMOSTATIC STEAM TRAP Filed June 4, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 4, 1958 A. K. VELAN ETAL 2,825,508

MONO VALVE FLOAT THERMOSTATIC STEAM TRAP Filed June 4,; 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 6 MQNQ FLGAT THERMQSTATIC STEAM TRAP I Adolf Karel Yelan and Roger Ripert, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, ass.gnors to Velan Engineering ltd Montreal, I Quebec, Canada Application June 4, 1956, Serial No. 589,138. C a ms (CL 236- 3) The present invention relates to improvements in therntostatically controlled steam traps and is believed to present a. novel design of thermostatic steam traps dischargng condensate or water regardless oftemperature.

prior art thermostatically operated steam traps includ ng the type of steam trap shown in the applicants Un ted States Patent; 2,629,553 of February 24, 1953, ffiq lyfl a certain temperature diflerential to operate and to d scharge condensate. While the use of the steam trap construction disclosed in the applicants earlier Patent 2,629,553 and that of other makes of thermostatically operated steam traps, using bi-metal, bellows or expans on rods, is satisfactory and economical, there are applicat ons where condensate has to be discharged at the same temperature as that of steam as rapidly as it forms ll'ljtl'l e equipment. This rapid discharge of condensate is required in various heating and processing set-ups for their eflicient function.

Normally used bucket traps and other designs of mechanically operated steam traps having intermittent operattons are not suitable for processing work where condensate has to be discharged at steam temperature and at the same time temperature and pressure have to be maintained and controlled very accurately in the processing unit. This is due to the fact that when an inverted bucket, or other intermittently operating steam trap, is used, for this purpose, the valve is rapidly closed and opened which causes an increase in pressure when the valve closes and a tendency of decreased pressure or even vacuum when the valve opens rapidly. These pressure fluctuations influence at the same time the temperature of the equipment drained.

In order to overcome this disadvantage, industry is prescntly using the so-called float thermostatic type of steam trap. The prior art steam traps of this nature difler little in the design and are all basically two steam traps placed in one body. One seat and valve is operated by afloat mechanism discharging water continuously as it is'formed, and another seat and valve is operated by a thermostatic bellows or similar arrangement to vent air. At the same time all these prior art designs have to have a specially operated steam trap mechanism to vent air. The disadvantage of this type of design lies in the principle which applies two mechanisms; one reacting to temperature and orie'to the diflerence between gas and liquid, and both mechanisms applied without exception to separate valve seats and valves. Consequently, two steam traps are installed in one body, increasing the possibility of steam leakage, as well as the cost of maintenance. Separate check valves have to be installed to prevent back flow -from other equipment and separate strainers to protect the mechanism from dirt, consequently, the siZe and weight of this type of trap installation is considerably greater in comparison with the present invention which uses one mechanism and one valve only to perform the function of three seats and valves and three mechanisms presently used in such installations.

l the-present invention aims to provide an improvement 2,825,508 Patented Mar. 4, 1958 in a float thermostatic type of steam trap which combines all the advantages of the applicant's thermostatically controlled trap disclosed in U. S. Patent 2,629,553 with the desired advantages of float traps discharging water regarda less of temperature while eliminating the disadvantages of the prior art structures of this nature mentioned above.

Accordingly, the invention comprises a combined float and thermostatically controlled steam trap which includes a main trap body having an internal fluid chamber and fluid inlet and outlet passages leading from said chamber with a valve seat; in the fluid inlet passage. A float supporting yoke is pivotally mounted within the fluid chamber on opposed pivot points provided on the chamber walls andv a float is mounted on the yoke on the end remote from the pivotal connection. A thermally re, sponsive. bi-metallic element, bellows, or other thermally responsive elementis mounted on the supporting yoke. elongated valve stem is freely connected at one end to one end of the thermally responsive element so as to extend; through the fluid chamber outlet passage, with the other end ot the valve stem being provided with a closure h a d p e o sea n h a e ea With this arrangement, the valve is adapted to handle and dispose of condensate regardless of temperature and at full valve opening capacity. The combination of the thermally responsive elementwith the free floating valve stem and closure head enables the valve to be fully thermally responsive while the providing; of the float and the Pivotal m n in pr des ope n of h valve und the nflu n Qt o e s t l n he fl d ham he moment the fluid chamber is su fiiciently filled with condensate (water), the buoyancy oi the float and the force acting on the leverage by the pivotally mounted supporting yoke will overcome the closing force oi the thermally responsive element developed previously by the steam and pu h the en ire m hanism n ludin e valve m and lo e h a nto fu l op n P i on ll n h ndensate to be drained instantly through a very large orifice. h s n i x remel q i nds s th as the Opening force developed'by the float is balanced to the last moment by the pull of the thermally responsive element. The extent of closing movement of the thermally responsive element is predetermined and restricted by suitable stop means provided on the supporting yoke so that when the yoke is pivoted upwards by the float under an accumulation of condensate the valve will remain fully open for condensate discharge even it the temperature within the fluid chamber exceeds the temperature for which the element was selected and set. These conditions, of course, are when the condensate enters the trap regardless if temperature is steam temperatute or even higher. The trap vents air when starting-up, traps steam, discharges water and acts as a check valve allowing the valve to move back if, the pressure on the ball closure head is higher than in the steam trap inlet.

Having thus generally described the nature of the mvention, particular reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein there is shown by way of 111115- tration a'prefe'rred construction of a combined floatthermbstatic steam trap in accordance with the invention, and in which: 7 a

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view in plan elevat on of a steam trap construction in accordance with the invention with the relative position of the pivotal supporting yoke and float and a bi-rnetallic type thermally responsive element shown in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the construction shown in Figure 1 along the line 2 2 to illustrate the internal arrangement more clearly, with the .biI-metallic element shown in a stressed conditionand underthe influence of fluid at steam temperature. 1

V Figure 3 is a further cross-sectional ing to Figure 2 with the bi-metallic element shown in normal unstressed condition'and adapted to discharge airfrom theventa f Figurejil'is'a diagrammatic h tion of the main controlling elements of thefftr'ap' conview corresponds s "V in perspective u e a he rs r 4;.

a lower flange 59 portion l bottom of the fluidchamber, 16 so as to maintain the float struction shown fin Figure 1, including the pivotally mounted supporting yoke, float; and-embodying a bimetallic type thermally responsive controlling element with the valveistem 'and valve closui ehea'cl sho'wn in 'mounted condition relative to the valve seat. 1

Figure S'is a further cross section'al'lvi'ew of-the construction shownin Figure l correspondingto FigiIres Z and 3 toillustrate thepo'sition of the controlling'eleh ents when the valve stem is unstressed in closing position and a freely acting as a check valve.

Figure 6 is a'still further(:rjos's-s ectional view'of the 'construction shown 'in Figurel correspondin'gito Figures 2, 3 and S'tOiIlustrate the position of the controlling elementsewith the float raised by accumulation of condensate and the valve open to full condensate draining c p i J 1 "1 Figure 7 is across-sectional view of a'trap construction similar to that shown in Figure l but utilizing a bellows type thermally responsive expansion element, the; valve being shown infull open Condensate draining position.

Figure Sis a detail ,view of the bellowstype thermally responsive element utilized in the construction of Fig ure 7 to show the'mou'nting more clearly."

Figure 95 is-a cross-sectional view of a trap construe-t V tion'sifnilar' to that shown in Figure? utilizing a bellows V type thermally responsive expansion element with "a fur-' ther variation in mounting and with the valve closure head disposed interiorly of the fluid chamber.

.VWith particular reference to Figures .l through 6 offthe drawings, a preferred construction'of a float thermostatic steam trap inaccordance with theinvention com prises of a main trap body having a'first portion 10 and a second portion 12'interconnected,by suitable bolts with 4 the usual sealing gaskets 14 being provided therebetween.

' The trap and body portion is shaped so, as to provide an internal fluid chamber 16 which comrnunicates directxly with a fluid inlet passage 18 provided in the body pore tion 12,. Tapped openings '20, 22 lead directly to the. 'fluid inlet, passage l8 and ascreen filter 24tis mounted in the passage 18 as shown most clearly in Figure 2. Q The body portion 10 is also provided with ajfluid'out- ,letpass ageSt) which is interconnected with the lowest portion ,of the fluid chamber ,16 by the trap opening 32 spection opening 39 is provided indirect alignment'with the fluid outlet passage opening 32and a plug 40-is threadablyengaged in this opening. t a I t "Trap controlling mechanism 1i 1 movement about opposed pivotal points provided in the inner walls of the chamber 1 6.", The yoke arms 52 are each provided with pins 53' adjacent the latter endand these pins are. engagedlin corresponding openings 55 provided in the chamber walls. 7 a

V A'float'70 is mounted directly to the en d of the yoke '50iremote1fro'm the pivotal connection.- This float, is

V preferablysof stainless steel and hasa diameterenabling it to freely move within the chamber 16.

V t In .the pre ferred construction shown in Figures l'through 6 and. at

* aipoint intermediate the a tta'chment withthe' float 70 and the pivotal connection mentioned above, atthermally responsive 'bifmetallic element 80 is connectedto a cross rm'ernber'Sl "of thesupporting yoke; At thisipoin taiurt, the'r, extension 57. of the yoke is providediwhich includes ment Stljto provide a stop member adapted to restrict 70 and the bi-metallic element 80in the correct relative position in the absence of condensate within the third s chamber and also to provide a point of resistance furthe 7 thermally activated movement of the element 80.

The bi-metallic element 80 is connected, as illustrated and described, to'the yoke 50at one end, the other-end being free to flex under predetermined temperature conditions, as is well known to the art. 7

Since the flange portion 59 of theftyokeitl willz raised from contact with the bottom of the chamber 16 by the float 70in the presence of condensatgajfurthen V 7 extension 56 of'the yoke is'provided in predetermined, 1

spaced apart relationship from the top surface ofltheele- ,the valve closing movement of the element. 'The:re--

of such condensate. V

The elongated valve stem V endoftheelementstl by an'adjustable yoke 92 permitstrans-axial pivotal movement of 'the valvestem asw'ellfa's sliding axialrnove'ment This: type of valve" 7 V 'stem mounting on a thermostatic temperature responsive V A supporting Iyoke S O'having spaced-apart bifurcate V arms 52 is mounted in the fluid chamber-'16, for pivotal rmetallic element 801 and therefore force :thQnefltire :arlj rangement, including thevalve head, 93', into fulLopep ,position 'allowingthe condensate 'to be drained instantly I a t .7 50 p and a valvesseat34 lSl'llOLll'ltGd 1n this opening "Tapped ffluid outlet openings 36, 3B communicate directly with the fluid outlet passage 30. A further clean-out and'inelementis disclosed in detail Patent 2,629,553.,

in the applicants: S.-

The'othe'r end of the elongated valvestemi90 islprovided with a ball closure head 93 which is adapted under predetermined conditions'of temperature, and in the absence of condensate, to seat seat 32. a a

With this arrangement, the present-floatgthermostatic steam trap construction is adapted to control and tune tion the venting of air ,.the discharge of condensate,=the trapping of steam,.and the back flow of condensateundei' all temperature conditions. i

on the outer face of thevalve v I t Principle'ofoperqtiort a, When starting up, assuming that thepresent continuously from the apparatus. For. this purpose the present steam trap arrangement reacts in thefsame way a a as the steam: trap arrangement ldisclosed'in -U. S.1Ratent 2,629,553,,in the vabsence of steam and/or condensate,- neither the float 70 nor the bi-metallic elementfilact to seat the closure head 92 on the valve seat 32; Accordingly, the valve i's'opened to fullcapacity; and tairjpand gases can be discharged continuously (see FigureB).

' When steam enters the fluid chamber-16, thebi-metallic ,7

element 80' will develop a'suflicient force ,to actQonihe valvestem" seating the closure head 93 'and closing the valve. In'the absence ofifluid condensatethefloat: attached to the yoke 50, willinot have any reaction; (see 1 Figure 2). Q a

t =When condensate entersthe fluid chamber 16 at steatn temperature, the-bi-metallic element 80, alreadyunder the 7 control bfthe steam, cannot react :and the valve closure; head 93 remains seated: The moment the-fluid chamber; is sufliciently'filledjwiththe condensatqithe buoyancytof 'the' float 70 andthe force'actin'g through the'leverage of "theyoke 50 will overcome the ,closing-force:of-;thebi adapted engage with'the 90 connected to ;theffree 5 V yalve' iconf struction is incorporated in a heatingor processing unit the air in the unit must firstbe driven: out andtalliair', or 7 gas entering with the condensate steam'should be'purged through the orifice of the valve seat 52 (see Figure 6). T e i s extre y qu t n smeefi a h e ins force developed by the float is balanced to. the last moment by the pull of the bi-metallic element 80.

In the case of cool condensate at a lgwer temperature then Ste-em the p nt valve ar an ent rea ts eut matieelly to h l a in a ma ner similar t a headp d valve which c be le ed and en ned t9 crease or decrease the capacity of the trap. If the condensation load is smaller and the temperature of the condensate l w the difi r mial a. whic he um li l nt 9 per tes. th n the fleet 70 r turns 9 the bottom p o wi in th flu eh tneer 1 and he trap operates as a standard i i-metallic steam trap of the yp described in e l ants U. S,.- eten 2.629.553 (see Figure 3),.

The moment capacity increases and the trap cannot handle the load under standard conditions, the condensate level in the fl d ehember 6 r ses. in r isin the flee 70 and opening the v l e to l ca a ity (see i e 6-)- While. the thermostatic element 80 shnwn is of a single segment type, it will be appreciated that the multir segment type adapted to follow'the curye of. saturated steam can be utilized for this purpose. A preferred type of element is that shown in U. SfPatent 2,629,553,.

It is also contemplated that other types of thermally responsive controlling elements might be utilized for this purpose, for example thermally responsive bellows arrangements or expanding thermally responsive rods.

Examples of such modified constructions are shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9 of the drawings wherein the thermally responsive controlling element is a bellows type expansion l n I th ee t uet en. ehewn n F ur s 7 and 8 the. supp t ek L 9 s medified te. pro atta hmen points 152 which are pivotally connected to an expansion type thermally responsive bellows 180 by the bellows extension 182. A substantially rectangular frame 184 is connected to and supported by the bellows element 180 and a valve stem 190 having a ball closure head 193 is mounted on the frame 184 to operate through and against the valve seat 132 in a similar manner to the preferred construction previously described.

The supporting yoke 150 is pivotally mounted as before to the side walls of the fluid chambers 16 and a float 170 is connected to the end of the yoke 150 at the end remote from the connection with the bellows 180.

The operation is the same as previously described with the exception that the valve stem 190 is not free floating and therefore the combined stem 190 and ball head 193 will not act as a check valve as in the preferred constructlons.

In the construction shown in Figure 9 the supporting yoke 250 is again modified so that the pivotal connection 252 is at the end and beyond the pivotal connection with a further type of thermally responsive expansion bellows 280. In this type the bellows 280 includes an extension 282 pivotally connected at 284 to the yoke 250 and frame 286 which surrounds the element and provides a guide for the valve stem 290'secured directly to the bellows 230. The valve stem 290 includes a tapered valve head 293 which is adapted to seat in the valve seat 232, in this case on the upstream side and within the fluid chamber 16. The frame 286 is maintained in alignment with the orifice of the valve seat 232 by an extension or guide 260 extending upwardly from the bottom of the chamber 216. A float 270 is attached to the end of the yoke 250 at the end remote from its pivotal mounting and the yoke extension 257 is formed so that the float 270 is positioned mainly below the yoke 250 so as to maintain alignment of the yoke and provide maximum leverage and travel to the yok 250 under the buoyant lifting of the float 270.

The operation of this arrangement is generally similar as previously described with the exception that the valve stem 290 and valve closure head, as they are on the upfrom the thermally responsive controlling element 280 rather than towards as in the previous constructions. Again, the valve stem and closure head will not act as a check valve due to the particular mounting.

If a thermally responsive rod were used as the controlling element the construction and arrangement would be generally similar, The main requirement is that the thermally responsive element be mounted on the supporting yoke, asillustrated, and that the yoke be pivotally mounted to the float chamber so that the natural buoyancy of the float acts through the leverage of the yoke to impose a further control over the movement of the valve closure heads 93, 193, 293.

A main advantage over known steam trap constructions of this general type is that thefpresent steam trap construction is not affected by water hammer.

It should be explained that there are two main causes of float failure in standard float traps, both of which can be generally classified as due to water hammer." First, there is a pocket provided in standard float traps in which, at all times, there is a quantity of water in which the float is at least partially immersed so that the exposed surface is maintained at a relatively lower temperature. When steam enters the trap it condenses on the surface of the float creating an instantaneous drop of pressure or vacuum into which the water from the pocket and the incoming steam rush with tremendous velocity. The water and steam collide and the resultant shock or blow within the float chamber usually collapses and destroys the float.

The second cause is that the water column, pushed by steam into the trap body, changes its velocity to pressure as it enters the trap body'and thus greatly increases the pressure within the trap body. Since all of the known standard float traps have the discharge valve closing on the valve seat on the upward side or within the trap body, this increase in pressure closes the valve tightly and the float takes the pressure shock or hammer.

In the applicants construction the valve and valve seat are on the downward side exteriorly of and communieating with the lowest portion of the trap fluid chamber within the body so that there is no water in the chamber when steam enters. Further, since the valve head is on the downward side exteriorly of the fluid chamber, it acts as a relief valve and releases instantly against increased pressure, as mentioned above.

We claim:

1. A combined float and thermostatically controlled steam trap construction comprising the combination with a main trap body having an internal fluid chamber and fluid inlet and outlet passages leading from said chamber with a single valve seat in said fluid outlet passage; a

valve outlet control assembly having a main supporting member pivotally mounted at one end Within said fluid chamber adajcent said fluid outlet passage, a float mounted on the end of said supporting member remote from said pivotally mounted end, a thermally responsive control element pivotally mounted at one end on said supporting member, a valve stem connected at one end to said thermally responsive element to extend into said fluid outlet passage with a valve closure head on the other end of said valve stem disposed exteriorly of said fluid chamber and adapted to. seat on said valve seat in a direction towards said thermally responsive controlling element, whereby deflection of said thermally responsive element under varying temperature conditions within said trap is adapted to cause movement of said valve closure head into and away from engagement with said valve seat and said float under accumulation of condensate with said fluid chamber and through said common pivotally mounted supporting member is adapted to overcome said thermally responsive action to move said valve closure head away from said valve seat regardless of temperature conditions 7 within said fluid chamber.

V mounted,supporting-memberisin the form of a bifuliq e yoke with the outertends of the arms; of said yoke pivsponsive control element; j

' 3, A 'tcombinedfloat and thermostatically controlled responsive element in aligned position relative to said amend rally connected to opposed inner walls of said fluid chambert at'a; point between'said float and said thermally rea '4; Aicombined float and thermostaticallycontrolled steam trap as claimed in claim 1 wherein said thermally responsive element comprises at least onebi-metallic segment' and said valve stem ismonnted to the'fre'e end of tsaid'bi-metallic segment for sliding axial movement at a point in advance 'of said supporting member pivotal I connection.

5. A. combined afloat thermostatically. controlled steam trap as claimed in claim '1 wherein said thermally: responsivejelementis' an expansion bellows and said valve stern is tmounted directly on said bellows.

T 6. A combined float and thermostatically controlled, a

steam trap as claimed in claim 1 wherein said thermally responsiveelement is anexpansion bellows, a valv'e stem supporting frame mounted flx edlyton said Vhellowsand said valve stem is connected to said valve'stem supporting frame. 7

float 'an d thermostatically controlled "steam-trap as claimed in claim 1 wherein a'stop member is -mounted on said pivotally mounted supporting member above and' in spaced apart substantial alignment with said 7 'therrnally responsive element, said stopmemberbeing adapted to restrict the thermally respon sive movement of 7. A combined saidelement to a predetermined length of travelp- V K A combined float and thermostatically ti controlled 7' 1,006,629, Chapman ;1

v of said chambetga single valve seat in said fluid outlet passage and disposedjeirteriorly of said fluid chamber; a'valve outlet control assemblyhaving'afmain supporting member f 1 pivotally mounted within said fcharnberw at one end ad'- jacent said fluid outlet discharge'passagqa float mounted b the end of saids'upporting member iremote from said if 1 pivotally mounted end,- atherm'ally reisponsivefelemerit 5" pivotally mounted 'at'one'n'd on said supporting member, 'avalve's'tem connected at one end to said thermallyre fsponsivenelement andqextending through saidoutlet as-7 terminateiin aivalve closure head;di sposed 1e1'r'-. "te'ribrly'fof said fluid chambei'fand'adapted to seat on said alveseat in a direction towards said fluid chamber. 9 1A cbmbinegl float and thermostatically controlled f] jsteam'trapgasclaimed inf clairn 8,]whereinsaid thermally 7 responsive elementfcomprises at least one bi-metallic sag;

rnentand said valve stem is mounted to -theffree .tend of f "said bifmetallic. segment'for sliding axialmbvementataiq point in ad vance of said-axialmember pivotal connection. 1 f 110. :A cbmbined float 'and thermostatically 'controlled I a "steam trap, ,as claimed in claim 8,"wherein' saidthermally V responsivetelementis an expansion bellows, a. valve stem supporting frame mounted fixedly on said bellows and said m -:3 g r 7 in rassgc tgaa the flleofthis patent j; TUNI TED STATES PATENTS Y 11,57 l';921: 7 Hutchinson 12491 2 I 7 Oct: 2451911? 1}; 'Feb.2,. 19251 

